Just Weeks After Mr. Peanut’s Death, the Kool-Aid Man Has Gone Missing
There's a sudden absence of 'Oh, yeah!' at Kraft Heinz
A mere month after Mr. Peanut died, then rose again as Baby Nut, another potential disaster has struck the mascots of Kraft Heinz: The Kool-Aid Man has vanished.
It’s quite the feat, given his large stature and typically boisterous demeanor, but everything is quiet and all walls are structurally sound. Is he safe? Keeping cool? Hydrated? No one can say for sure.
His disappearance is tied to a campaign focused on a new mystery flavor. Kraft Heinz is encouraging concerned citizens to visit koolaidmystery.com and help locate the Kool-Aid Man, who’s ostensibly out traveling the world in search of that secret ingredient. “Find the Man to Find the Flavor!” the website proclaims.
The campaign, which debuted earlier this morning, was created by VaynerMedia, the same agency behind Mr. Peanut’s demise and subsequent resurgence during this year’s Super Bowl.
Participants who join the search between now and April 3 will be eligible to win prizes, including a $10,000 vacation. Kool-Aid Mystery Jammers—ready-to-serve drink pouches that contain the unknown flavor—are on shelves nationwide for $1.99 per pack of 10 pouches. Kraft Heinz will reveal the secret flavor, along with Kool-Aid Man’s whereabouts, on April 6.
Last month, Kraft Heinz announced plans to reduce the number of creative and design agencies it works with by nearly half, from 36 to 19. The company also intends to raise its consumer-facing marketing budget by 30%, with a focus on its most popular brands.
Join Adweek for Purpose-Driven Marketing, a live virtual event on Sept. 29, to discuss authentic brand purpose and hear insights from top marketers on navigating these uncertain times. Register now.
